At a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday, the European Parliament (EP) insisted on the need to make progress in Moldova’s accession negotiations to the European Union (EU) this year and to help Chisinau reduce Russian dependency.
According to the adopted resolution, which is not binding, MEPs believed that joining the EU should be seen as “a geostrategic investment”.
Moldova remains exposed to Russian pressure and energy blackmail, economic turmoil from the war in neighboring Ukraine, as well as Kremlin-backed attempts to destabilize the country’s pro-European government.
The country has been a formal candidate for the European Union since last year, following a faster-than-normal application process due to the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine in February.
However, there is still a long way to go before Moldova can be considered a member state.
The country needs to recover from decades of corruption, including meeting EU standards on the rights and protection of minorities.
“The European Parliament urges the Moldovan government to pursue with determination its program of reforms in the area of democracy and the rule of law, to work towards the full implementation of the EU Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, serious and organized continue international and cross-border crime and efforts to increase the country’s energy security,” MEPs added.
On the part of the EU, MEPs want the 27 to commit to helping Chisinau reduce dependence on Russiaparticularly in the field of energy, and urged the Commission to “punish fugitive Moldovan oligarchs Ilan Șor and Vladimir Plahotniuc”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean on Friday.
Source: DN
